5 Tips To Avoid A Personal Injury Claim
Aside from the negative impact on a customer or employee, workplace injuries affect the organization’s bottom line. Businesses have to bear the expenses related to compensation, legal services, medical treatment, and the repair of damaged property. The lawsuits related to the same are usually complex, and they put your business at risk.
Consequently, businesses must promote a safe and secure working environment to reduce the number of personal injury claims. Here are a few tips to protect your company from personal injury claims.
1. Hire A Business And Commercial Litigation Attorney
Consult with a legal expert on personal injury claims in case an accident occurs. A legal expert can give you the valuable insights you need in the hiring process and during contract signing and settling claims. They also know the personal injury claim process well and regularly update themselves on the latest bills related to workplace health and safety.
All small, medium-sized, and large organizations need a legal expert who can effectively represent them in court and advise them on the next legal steps to protect against personal injury claims.
2. Protect Your Business Against Liabilities With Insurance
When incidents occur in the workplace and injured persons file a lawsuit against the company, the business suffers from heavy fines, besides a ruined reputation. Purchasing insurance for your organization against liabilities alleviates the financial burden on the business.
When faced with claims of negligence, libel, and property damage, you can rely on general liability insurance to protect you against such claims. The insurance also covers medical expenses, legal fees, and other miscellaneous expenses.
3. Take Preemptive Measures Against Workplace Accidents
Workplace incidents are unpredictable. Hence, it’s wise to take preemptive measures against the risks before they happen to avoid dealing with the aftermath.
Every business has its own unique safety concerns. Identify the vulnerabilities in your business and address them to avoid personal injury setbacks in the future.
For instance, you can schedule repairs and maintenance to keep your property safe for employees and customers. You can also make sure company vehicles are regularly inspected, repaired, and maintained to avoid accidents while in transit.
4. Adopt An Employee Safety Program
Educate your employees about accidents and emergency response. It plays a huge part in reducing the likelihood of workplace injuries. But before you do that, you need to adopt measures that ensure the incidents don’t happen in the first place. For example, pre-employment screens to ensure you hire the most skilled and qualified individuals.
Your employees need to be trained in safety practices such as reporting site hazards, especially for industries that work with hazardous chemicals and heavy machinery. Take steps to ensure employees use proper safety equipment while at work.
Also, conduct drills that prepare employees for calamities like earthquakes, tornadoes, and fire breakouts. Go further to ensure comfort in the workplace by implementing ergonomic workplace standards.
5. Know What To Do Once An Accident Has Occurred
Despite all preventative measures you might take, workplace accidents do occur. If one happens and your employee gets injured, you need to know how to handle the situation.
Here’s a breakdown in a few easy steps:
- Seek emergency help first, then reach out to your attorney to help you manage the situation professionally.
- Investigate what led to the mishap. If possible, record it in pictures and videos.
- Interview employee eyewitnesses and note their names and contacts.
Takeaway
You can never be too prepared for such an unexpected incident. Personal injury claims are too costly and could bring your business down if you are not careful.
Taking preemptive measures, creating safety programs within your organization, purchasing insurance for your business, hiring a legal expert on the matter, and knowing what to do makes a huge difference in securing your company against such risks.